Psychology and Child & Human Development (PCHD)
Academic Group (AG)
AED16C: Learning Environments for Young Children
Assignments
Individual Assignment (60%)
Task
Select and observe an outdoor playground for children aged 6 years and below.
Critically review multiple sources of information and discuss the following:
• Why did you select this playground?
• What are the principles and elements of space present in the playground?
• How does the environment support children’s play, learning, development and
behavior?
Finally, discuss how the selected playground could be improved or enhanced to
support children’s play and learning?
Submission Format
Your written report should consist of the following:
• cover page (see course outline)
• photos of the outdoor playground
• discussion
• references (APA 7th edition).
• plagiarism score summary report
The written report (excluding cover page, references and plagiarism score report)
should not exceed 2000 words (A4; Arial Font Size 12; 1.5 spacing).
©[Link]@[Link]
Assessment Criteria
• Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate outdoor playground for
observation
• Demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate the outdoor playground
using the principles and elements of space
• Demonstrate the ability to express clearly and concisely (using correct grammar,
vocabulary and spelling) as well as use appropriate resources and referencing
• Demonstrate the ability to critically discuss, prepare and present the report in an
organized and appropriate manner in the given time
Due Date: Session 11
• soft copy (through turnitin on BB) – at least one day before class
• hardcopy – in class
Note
• DO NOT attach the cover page, references and appendices when submitting the
soft copy via Turnitin
• Refer to the course outline for notes on plagiarism and late submission
• Print and submit the final plagiarism score summary report with your hardcopy
©[Link]@[Link]
Group Assignment (30%)
Task
In groups, you will undertake a hands-on project to design a learning centre for a
group of young children aged 6 years and below. When designing, consider the
following:
• characteristics of the children (e.g., age, gender, interests, abilities, needs, etc.)
• philosophy of early childhood education and curriculum for the selected group
of children
Your presentation should include the following details:
• principles underlying the design of the learning centre
• explain how the learning centre supports children’s development, play, learning
and behaviour
• share the issues and challenges faced in setting up the learning centre as well
as how these issues and challenges were overcome in your final design
• role of the teacher in the learning centre
Each group will have 25 minutes for the presentation. This will be followed by 5
minutes of Q and A. Do not exceed the time limit as only the first 25 minutes of your
presentation will be graded.
Submission Format
Your presentation should consist of the following:
• slides/script
• oral presentation
Due Date: Session 13
• hardcopy – in class
©[Link]@[Link]
Assessment Criteria for Group Project (30%)
Name of Group Member/Individual Component Marks: 1)__________________ 2)_________________ 3)___________________ 4)__________________
Group Component Marks: ________
Item Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor
Delivery Participant is extremely well- Participant is well-prepared & Participant is adequately Participant is adequately
(5%) prepared & shows outstanding shows competent ability to prepared & shows moderate prepared is able to present the
ability to present information in present information in a ability & confidence in information in a clear &
a confident, professional & confident & convincing manner. presenting the information. convincing manner.
convincing manner.
Content coverage Participants have an excellent Participants have a good grasp Participants have an adequate Participants have an
and organization grasp of the topic. Content of the topic. Content coverage grasp of the topic. Content inadequate grasp of the topic.
(20%) coverage is outstanding & is comprehensive & reflects a coverage is adequate & reflects Content coverage is
reflects very thoughtful, considerable amount of some degree of thoughtful inadequate, showing insufficient
thorough research & planning. thoughtful research & planning. research & planning. Most of efforts made in research &
All the relevant issues are Most of the relevant issues are the relevant issues are planning. Some of the relevant
addressed with commendable addressed with depth & insight. sufficiently addressed in a issues are not being addressed
depth & insight. Excellent links Good efforts are made to link systematic, organized manner. & there is no conscientious
are made to the processes & issues to processes & Some efforts are made to relate effort made to relate issues to
knowledge about children, the knowledge about children, the issues to the processes & processes & knowledge about
local context & practice. Major local context & practice. The knowledge about children, the children, the local context &
ideas/points are extremely well- ideas/points are well organized local context & practice. practice. Overall, the
organized to support the flow & to support the development of discussion lacks depth &
development of thought and thought and concepts. insight.
concepts.
Use of Demonstrates excellent Demonstrates good teamwork Demonstrates some teamwork Demonstrates little/no
visuals/creativity teamwork & effective use of & competent use of visuals & & moderate ability to use teamwork & ineffective use of
(5%) visuals & creativity to support creativity to enhance the visuals & creativity. There are visuals & creativity. Overall the
the presentation. Audience is presentation. Shows ability to some lapses but generally the presentation is bland & lacks
captivated & thoroughly sustain audience’s interest most discussion is able to engage the ability to capture audience’s
engaged throughout the of the time. the audience’s attention. interest.
presentation.
Note: This form will not be returned to Participants ©[Link]@[Link]
